Plea seeks CBI probe into Delhi cop's death

New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) A petition was filed in the Delhi High Court Wednesday seeking a CBI inquiry into the death of constable Subhash Chand Tomar, who succumbed to injuries received during violent anti-rape protests here last month.

Filed by a Delhi-based lawyer, the petition is likely to come up for hearing Friday.

The plea sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the constable's death Dec 25, 2012, alleging that there was contradiction in the versions of police, two witnesses and medical superintendent at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where Tomar was admitted after he collapsed Dec 23.

Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said at a press conference that he was told that Tomar received injuries on the stomach, neck and chest and the same was the reason for his death. However, the hospital medical superintendent said there were no serious injuries caused to him, said the petitioner, who did not wish to be named.

Police said Tomar was trampled upon by the crowd protesting at India Gate against the gang-rape of a trainee physiotherapist in December 2012. But two witnesses said that he collapsed while chasing the crowd and that he was not beaten or trampled by the protestors, the petition said.

"The statement of the police commissioner is completely contradictory to the version of two witnesses Yogendra and Pauline," the petition said.

"Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital's Medical Superintendent T.S. Sidhu's statement also corroborated the statements of two witnesses wherein he said that Tomar was brought to hospital in a 'collapsed condition' (after suffering a heart attack) and was revived by doctors," the petitions said.

Police have arrested eight people in connection with Tomar's death. All of them have got bail.